purdah

a. A curtain or screen, used mainly in India to keep women separate from men or strangers.

b. The Hindu or Muslim system of sex segregation, practiced especially by keeping women in seclusion.

Social seclusion: “Never have artists been more separate: their inordinate fame, wealth, drug use have driven them into luxurious purdah” ( D. Keith Mano )

Origin of purdah

Urdu pardahveilfrom Persian from Middle Persian pardakfrom Old Persian paridaka-frompari-dā-to place overpariaround, over ; see per1 in Indo-European roots. dā-to place ; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.

(UK politics) The time between the announcement and holding of an election, during which any governmental activities that may be construed as potentially benefiting or promoting a specific political party or prospective candidate are halted or suspended.

(UK politics) The period after plans have been prepared but before the Chancellor of the Exchequer's annual budget is announced, when he refrains from discussing any matters which have relevance to the forthcoming budget.